Disney's WILDERNESS LODGE Information & Questions

[WDWKOOK]

My dh has given me the green light for something super for our WL trip..Room upgrade! its our anniv and kids birthdays so... do I want a Villa or a club level? Keep in mind i need to go through Disney ( cancellation policy) ..what to choose what to choose!

I vote for Club Level. Having the lounge and all the amenities will make your anniversary extra special and you'll feel like you have even more room and you could even request bunks for the kids.

Hi can you add me to the list of people going to WL our first visit to this resort.

Dates are: 28th October - 8th November 2015

Thank you.

You know when something is missing and you are not sure what! oh my I've just realized that since the boards moved I've not been getting any emails of updates. 77 days till we are at the lodge ( not that I'm count ing Lol)

I haven't gotten one single email since the conversion either - most haven't. There is a thread on the Technical Board where you can post about this problem.

I know I just booked POP for our September trip yesterday, but that deal going on through a travel agency during Labor Day weekend is way too good to pass up. Plus with a few things that have come up that have allowed us to afford it more easily, there's a good chance we'll be changing over to WL! I don't want to speak too soon, but I'm very hopeful!

Welcome back to the DIS! Where have you been? It looks like you've gotten married so congratulations! Let us know if you change to WL.

WDWKOOK, can you add me to the list? We will be there August 14-23. We usually stay at POR but saving a little bit of money and giving WL a try.

Thank you!

I think you're going to love WL and I'll add your dates.

I wondered that, too!

I'm glad the photos worked out well. Happy to help!

At least that makes two of us who think it might have something to do with the Deluxe room to DVC conversion rumor.

Hi all! Love the new forum! It looks like we're planning to celebrate our 25th Anniversary in WDW in 2016. We're trying to decide to either go back to WL (we love our stay last year) or CR (our 1st time there). So excited!

How about a split CR/WL stay?

DH and I had decided we'd save money and move to CBR, but called to switch today and the rooms with the military rate are gone. DH and I decided it's a sign to stay put! We didn't really want to give the Lodge up, but felt we should be "fiscally responsible". Now we're just going to enjoy the trip and time at the Lodge! (And DH is very happy to take the boat!)

When rooms are not available with the military rate, don't give up. Some rooms that are later canceled, revert back to the military rate inventory. But, this might be a sign to stick with WL!

I'm so excited to be joining in! We'll be staying at VWL for the first time 8/19-8/22. I own at AKV but we picked VWL this time around because we've always wanted to stay there and we want to head over to FW to do activities like horseback riding and archery so it was the perfect fit!

Welcome and congratulations on booking VWL. We love FW - so peaceful. Horseback riding and the Archery Experience is lots of fun for the whole family. I'll log your dates.

Hi - I had to throw in my information as we were at the lodge this past week. I came her looking for some info as to what they were doing, but it seems to be a secret! LOL To us it looked as though they were gutting the rooms - we could see into some. It also looked as though they had taken out every other column of sliding patio doors and were filling them in with cinderblocks and then log siding. So we were wondering if they were making more deluxe rooms or suites. We have stayed there 8 times since 2010 and hope that is what they are doing. We are a family of 5 and the WL is in desperate need of more options for families like us. I LOVE that the studios sleep 5, but would like the opportunity to stay in the main lodge too!

It's pretty much speculation at this point. The only recent rumor that might relate to the gutting is that some/all of the Deluxe CL rooms might be converted to DVC villas and perhaps the rooms they're gutting will be non-DVC Deluxe room replacement. Again, this is just pure speculation right now, with no facts.

Hi there! I'd love to be added to the trip list! We are planning to be staying in a studio at VWL April 25- May 2. We will be celebrating my 40th b-day and taking our one year old for the first time.

I'd love thoughts on which studio room to request in VWL. Do I want a dedicated studio or is a lock off ok? I'm thinking we'd prefer being near the elevators, not all the way at the other end of the building where it looks like some of the other studios are. Also does anyone know if the studio rooms have equal views (oh yeah is there just that one with no balcony to avoid or are there others?).

Thanks in advance!

Of course I'll add you to the Lodgers' Log. There are 20 dedicated Studios at VWL. I'm not sure about this so hopefully someone will correct me, but the Studio lock-offs may only be able to be booked as a two bedrooms since they're a one bedroom/studio combo? As far as the 20 dedicated Studios, there don't seem to be any on the 5th floor, but they're on all other floors and they have a variety of views: woods, WL and bus stop/FW area. The VWL chapter of the thread has a villa map and link to a VWL room finder.

So excited to be able to see we are staying here for the 1st time this summer! I reserved 7/13-7/19 CL thanks to their military discount! 1st time CL at a Disney resort for us. There isn't a big enough smilie but this sums it up fairly well!

We considered CL at CR (for MK convenience) but it was just too expensive and my husband loves the theming at WL (from the pictures) plus it's his birthday. So much to read, so much to learn!!!

Welcome! I think you picked the perfect place for your first CL experience and the military 40% makes it even better. I'll log your dates and let us know if you have any questions.

We are staying the week before/after easter. They just revised park hours and morning emh each day at mk will be at 7am. What time will the boat start running, and what time should we get to the dock if we want to be there at rope drop? We have three boys, but two are toddlers so we know early EMH is the way to go!

We're there at around the same time and they really have extended those MK hours, which makes me think it'll be awfully busy. The MK boat/bus will start running about a half hour prior to park opening so you should be able to catch it starting at about 6:30.

 

[cadale]

following

 

[skuttle]

We're there at around the same time and they really have extended those MK hours, which makes me think it'll be awfully busy. The MK boat/bus will start running about a half hour prior to park opening so you should be able to catch it starting at about 6:30.

Thanks! Our last trip was during the 4th of July for our oldest son's birthday and we were really surprised that the crowds weren't as bad as we were expecting. Maybe because we were REALLY expecting it to be bad. LOL! At least this time the heat won't be an issue.

 

[lucybalue]

We are staying at WL for the first time Sept 20-24th. We have always stayed on the monorail line but as the kids are getting slightly older, I'm hoping its not necessary and we can branch out a bit. We are currently booked in a Bunk Room Courtyard View. Can anyone tell me where these are located? We would like to be in the main building, close to the QS and wondering if we will be with this room category. Thanks.

 

[dansdad]

We are staying at WL for the first time Sept 20-24th. We have always stayed on the monorail line but as the kids are getting slightly older, I'm hoping its not necessary and we can branch out a bit. We are currently booked in a Bunk Room Courtyard View. Can anyone tell me where these are located?

Check out post #3 of this thread. All the blue colored rooms are Courtyard View.

We would like to be in the main building, close to the QS and wondering if we will be with this room category. Thanks.

WL is only one building so you're good to go there. The only way you wouldn't be in the main building is if you were staying DVC at the Villas of Wilderness Lodge.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Welcome back to the DIS! Where have you been? It looks like you've gotten married so congratulations! Let us know if you change to WL.

It's good to be back! I had been somewhat busy planning my wedding (Disney made planning pretty easy!), but now that the wedding is over and we're starting to plan our next trip, I'm back on the boards ready to soak in all the new info! Thank you so very much! DH and I got married at Sea Breeze Point in front of BW in October! It was so magical! DH really enjoyed Disney so we're going back for our 1 year anniversary!

 

[crazy for the mouse]

So excited! We have booked our stay at the WL for 8/7 to 8/12 (then moving on to Cabanna Bay for a few days). We are going to be there for our 20th Anniversary. It is extra special since we honeymooned in Disney! I am excited to stay at WL since I haven't stayed in a Deluxe resort since 1978 and the rest of my family have never stayed in a Deluxe. I booked my Dining yesterday and I am still feeling the magic!

 

[nogreenworld]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know that.

I can corroborate this fact, also an August stay. We took the bus for a late breakfast at Trail's End and then took the boat back, just to enjoy the ride. IIRC, the bus comes to the first stop at the WL, on the right as you walk to the bus stops from the walkway. The bus driver will tell you which stop to get off for whatever you want to do there, if you ask.

We were just there a week or so ago. There is a dedicated bus stop at WL for FW, and it appears to run all day (january stay). we took it over to the bike barn (did an archery experience...highly recommended) in the early afternoon.

 

[Lilu86]

So, excited to be heading back to WDW May 23- May 30th. This will be the first time staying at WL! We tend to stay at the Beach club due to the location, but I've been wanting to stay at the lodge for awhile now. We have a woods view room booked. I know that requests are a rarity, but are there better rooms than others? Also, Im nervous about the crowd levels due to Memorial day. Tourist plans aren't predicting anything crazy, but any advice?

 

[GrandCalifornian]

So excited! We have booked our stay at the WL for 8/7 to 8/12 (then moving on to Cabanna Bay for a few days). We are going to be there for our 20th Anniversary. It is extra special since we honeymooned in Disney! I am excited to stay at WL since I haven't stayed in a Deluxe resort since 1978 and the rest of my family have never stayed in a Deluxe. I booked my Dining yesterday and I am still feeling the magic!

Congratulations! Have a great time. Did you book any restaurants cat WL, or nearby? Which are you looking forward to the most?

So, excited to be heading back to WDW May 23- May 30th. This will be the first time staying at WL! We tend to stay at the Beach club due to the location, but I've been wanting to stay at the lodge for awhile now. We have a woods view room booked. I know that requests are a rarity, but are there better rooms than others? Also, Im nervous about the crowd levels due to Memorial day. Tourist plans aren't predicting anything crazy, but any advice?

Congratulations. With a woods view room you still have some options based on your preference. The biggest decision (in our opinion) is whether you prefer a room that opens to the lobby or not. We love these rooms, and find the view just outside the door to be amazing. Most of these rooms are Woods view. Some people prefer a quieter location though, because at peak times you can hear noise from the WCC restaurant in the lobby. The majority of Woods view rooms are in the wings of the hotel, particularly the North wing facing generally toward the Magic Kingdom. You can also make requests regarding whether you prefer a high floor or not. Be aware that the highest floor in any section of the Lodge (and a few other random locations) generally have rooms with enclosed balconies, which some people prefer and others avoid. The big difference is whether you can see out well while seated.

Yes, requests are only requests and nothing is guaranteed, but we have done well adding them to our resort reservation by calling the central reservations number. They will add them as a note in your reservation, which will go to the room assignor at the resort a few weeks or so before your stay. The most important thing to remember is that you can't go wrong at WL, and every room has something nice about it. Happy planning and have a great trip.

 

[skuttle]

C You can also make requests regarding whether you prefer a high floor or not. Be aware that the highest floor in any section of the Lodge (and a few other random locations) generally have rooms with enclosed balconies, which some people prefer and others avoid. The big difference is whether you can see out well while seated.

Thanks for this! I did online check in last week and requested "highest floor." However, after reading this, I'm going to change. We had a dormer room at GF once and it had an enclosed balcony which I didn't care for. I went to my reservation to try to change, but it won't let me deselect "Highest floor." It did let me add two more requests, even though you are only allowed two. So I added 4th and 5th floor, but "highest floor" is still there. I guess I may have to call to fix that.

 

[Ceryssa]

I adjusted our dates a bit today and had to upgrade to a bunk room in order to keep our bounceback. I'm a little nervous about this option since my kids have never slept in bunk beds (they're 6 and 8, I'm sure they'll be fine we're just paranoid lol). Do people usually like these better?

 

[pixarmom]

Our older boys slept in the bunks when they were 5 and 6, and again when they were 8 and 9. They loved the bunks, and I had no concerns regarding safety. I would not let our youngest (now 8 years old) sleep in the top bunk, but that's just because of his activity level and lack of safety sense, which are disability-related.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I adjusted our dates a bit today and had to upgrade to a bunk room in order to keep our bounceback. I'm a little nervous about this option since my kids have never slept in bunk beds (they're 6 and 8, I'm sure they'll be fine we're just paranoid lol). Do people usually like these better?

Our five year old grandson loved the bunkbeds. And the room has more floor space with the bunkbed instead of the queen size bed in the room.

 

[lovingeire]

I adjusted our dates a bit today and had to upgrade to a bunk room in order to keep our bounceback. I'm a little nervous about this option since my kids have never slept in bunk beds (they're 6 and 8, I'm sure they'll be fine we're just paranoid lol). Do people usually like these better?

Our boys love the bunk beds & will be sleeping in them again this trip!

 

[Saimaeve]

I extended my stay by a day. Instead of taking a red-eye on the 29th and arriving the 30th, we are going to take the red eye on the 28th arriving the 29th. This way we can use all 4 days of our tickets.

So now we will be at WL the 29th -3rd and then the Fantasy the 3rd-10th. Definitely the longest vacation we've taken.

I really love the look of the lobby. We're booked in a Woods view room, I don't mind noise from the restaurant really, but are there any higher floor lobby facing rooms or should I upgrade my room level for something like that?

 

[Wood Nymph]

I really love the look of the lobby. We're booked in a Woods view room, I don't mind noise from the restaurant really, but are there any higher floor lobby facing rooms or should I upgrade my room level for something like that?

The highest floor you can get with a woods view room facing the lobby would be the 6th floor. The rooms that face toward the MK may have a view of the fireworks, depending on how many trees are in the way. The sixth floor rooms in this section of the resort have open balconies.

 

[Saimaeve]

The highest floor you can get with a woods view room facing the lobby would be the 6th floor. The rooms that face toward the MK may have a view of the fireworks, depending on how many trees are in the way. The sixth floor rooms in this section of the resort have open balconies.

Thanks!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Welcome new posters!​

So excited! We have booked our stay at the WL for 8/7 to 8/12 (then moving on to Cabanna Bay for a few days). We are going to be there for our 20th Anniversary. It is extra special since we honeymooned in Disney! I am excited to stay at WL since I haven't stayed in a Deluxe resort since 1978 and the rest of my family have never stayed in a Deluxe. I booked my Dining yesterday and I am still feeling the magic!

I think everyone will love WL and make sure your anniversary is noted in your reservation. I'll post your dates to the Lodgers' Log.

So, excited to be heading back to WDW May 23- May 30th. This will be the first time staying at WL! We tend to stay at the Beach club due to the location, but I've been wanting to stay at the lodge for awhile now. We have a woods view room booked. I know that requests are a rarity, but are there better rooms than others? Also, Im nervous about the crowd levels due to Memorial day. Tourist plans aren't predicting anything crazy, but any advice?

Actually, the WL Room Assignors do a great job of trying to meet requests whenever possible. I'll add your dates to POST 1

I extended my stay by a day. Instead of taking a red-eye on the 29th and arriving the 30th, we are going to take the red eye on the 28th arriving the 29th. This way we can use all 4 days of our tickets.

So now we will be at WL the 29th -3rd and then the Fantasy the 3rd-10th. Definitely the longest vacation we've taken.

I really love the look of the lobby. We're booked in a Woods view room, I don't mind noise from the restaurant really, but are there any higher floor lobby facing rooms or should I upgrade my room level for something like that?

Adding a day is great and I'll add it to the Lodgers' Log. Your vacation sounds like lots of fun. The only "upgrade" would be to a Club Level room, which is on the 7th floor* or to a (WL) Courtyard View which would overlook the pool, geyser and Bay Lake.

*ETA: The CL lounge surrounds the lobby below so anytime you're there, this is your view. The Honeymoon Suites are also over the lobby area.

 

[SLamott1973]

Questions:

Can you see wishes from the beach area?

Where is the best place to view wishes?

And can you see them at all from any standard view rooms?

Thanks!

Our last trip was the last week of October and we watched Hallowishes from the beach near the villas,as the other side was still fenced off from the construction it was a great view you shouldn't have any issues